Chalate takes opener against Infinity United

Thursday

Jun 14, 2007 at 2:00 AM

By Jillian Fraker Contributing Writer

Captains Garfield Edmongor of Chalate and Marvin McCallum of Infinity United, met at mid-field to start the first game of the summer in the Nantucket Adult Soccer League Saturday at the Delta Fields. Chalate would go on to defeat IU 2-1 for the second straight season-opener.

“We need more preparation. This was the exact score as last year with the same team and the same starting game. We are a great team, and will be, we just need more practice. It showed out there that these guys just need to work together more,” IU team manager Errol Usher said after the game.

Both teams put up a strong fight right from the start, which showed at halftime in a scoreless tie. But Chalate scored twice in the second half to take the victory.

“It was a great game, and we played great, but we can do a lot better. We missed our penalty shot and just need more practice. This game was full of mistakes and confusion that can only be fixed if we have more practice. We need to work harder if we are going to be as strong as last season,” Chalate goalie and team manager Rodil Lemus said.

The first serious threat of the game on IU goalie Mario Clarke came from Chalate’s Adam Rodrigues. Relying on his quick speed, Rodrigues dodged a line of IU defenders only to be rejected by Clarke, who came far out of the net to make the sliding save into Rodrigues’ cleats.

IU’s Cordell Crump responded. After finally getting by impressive Chalate defensemen Lucinao and Adam Lopes, Crump put the ball on net, but used too much spin, causing it to roll off the side of the goal post and out of bounds.

Both sides had multiple opportunities to score in the half.

Following Crump’s shot on net, Chalate’s goalie Lemus cleared the ball to Edmongor, who connected with Andrew Stewart. Lulu Correia took the ball but was met by Clarke with another beautiful save for IU.

IU had another break on net when Damion Scarlett was able to dribble around Chalate’s midfield and started toward the goal. But what appeared to be a turned ankle caused him to give up the ball over to the Chalate defense.

Taking advantage of the turnover, Lopes moved the ball up to Lucinao who gave it right back on the give-and-go. Lucinao sent the quick pass to Edler Lara, who sent it toward Stewart. Stewart then launched it toward the top corner of IU’s net and what looked to be the first goal of the game was punched over the crossbar by Clarke’s fist.

Later in the half, an IU handball inside the box led to a penalty kick by Lucinao. Chalate was thwarted, however, as the roaring crowd watched the free kick sore very high above the crossbar.

IU just couldn’t generate any momentum for the rest of the half, as the solid wall of Lucinao and Rodrigues met them time and time again.

Chalate had its best opportunity of the game only seconds before the end of the first half. Lara took a hard shot on Clarke, but IU defender Dean Campbell came out of nowhere with an outstretched leg, making a fantastic kick save to safely end the half 0-0.

During the second half, fatigue and a lack of practice led to mistakes, penalties and three goals.

Infinity United had an early opportunity. A great pass from Chalate’s Lopes to Lara was intercepted by IU’s Richard Humes. Humes passed the ball ahead to Crump, who sent the cross-field pass to Chennis who launched the ball wide of the Chalate goal.

In the middle of the second half, IU’s defense couldn’t hold the persistent Chalate forward line anymore. Stewart broke through and gave a gentle pass to Lara, who was able to keep great control upon receiving the ball and he grounded it past Clarke for the first goal of the night.

Chalate had a second opportunity when Lara leapt in the air in front of the IU net to capture the loose ball and unleashed a strong roundabout kick toward the goal. The ball seemed tagged for the second score of the game but it was caught by Clarke for the save.

Clarke kicked the ball high away from the pressure, but it came down right at Stewart’s feet. Taking full advantage of the mistake, Stewart dribbled past McCallum and Clarke, and with a full eye on the field he was able to catch Correia. Waiting patiently by the corner of the goal, Correia guided the ball right into the corner of the net for the second goal of the night.

It became evident that IU was suffering from fatigue, as play got sloppy for the rest of the half. Chalate was close to earning the shutout, before Chennis took off down the right sideline. Dodging Humes with his quick speed, he drilled it past Lemus, who jumped too far to the right, missing the ball for IU’s first and only goal to end the game.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Inquirer and Mirror ~ One Old South Road, Nantucket, MA 02554 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service